Wichita eagle., 1887-07-22

~ I:;;::Hka-yls cs this *siiey some ten years
ago worshiped in Father Zugs barn. The
charm of this novel simplicity has given way
to the dignity OF spacious worshiping places.
Then beautiful grove was the grand rally
ing point. 1t was a motley, almost weird,
gathering. Under the heavy spring foliage
of those trees brotherly and sisterly greetings
were extended the livelong day. Somber,
quiet dresseS-no tucks and ruffes-distin-
guished the women folk. There was sub
dued harmony in their plain frocks and stir
hoods. Pretty rosy faces looked out from be-
meath white fringed caps and no gross out
line of soul was shaded by the broad brimmed
hat. The men embrace each other and i'm
print tho ''holy kiss and likewise the women.
Then you could have heard, just as the sun
slanted his rays from the west, a measured
drollery of song in the words of the Pennsyl-
vania Dutch dialect come up from Elder
Zrg's barn.
The love feast was preparing. You look
within upon the extended threshing floor and
almost the living counterpart of Leonardo da
Vinci's Last Supper" is reproduced here.
First we witness the rite of feet washing
men with towels and basins bow before the
line of the brethren and women wait upon
the sisters. Around a rude table sit the
quietly demeaned participants. The bishop,
or housekeeper, has by his side the ministers
OF the first or second degree; hats and coats
OF one measurement make solid phalanx.
1t is the Dunkards' paschal-a song, prayer,
discourse, the kiss and then the mutton SOD
and bread. 1t is really love feast. and that
holy kiss however sacredly applied here,
partakes of most ludicrous awkwardness in
its execution. The tawny hands of those sons
of toll are grasped in angled curves, the
broad brims of those hats meet and bend TO
an upward pressure, and the religious kiss, in
undated boldness, sounds its praises upon the
air. The faint barn lights flicker and the
Lords Supper now begins 1t is a supper
with them, SO it is night "This il nv body.n
this is my blood" are the words so,emnly
spoken.
The mode Of the love feast has changed but
little from that primitive style. The Heidel-
berg meeting house has, however, intensified
the Importance of such a gathering. Visitors
from great distances IN the west and other
parts are here. As meal hours the basement
with its stNes ard baking houses. is a busy
scene. a free table bids welcome to all visi-
tors. a half loaf of bread is placed before
every SIX or ten guests: each one must c,1t his
own slice 70 suit. Cold meats and ure-erri-
nently the 'Snitz pie, along with coffee drunk
out OF yellow bowls and filed from surink king
cans, make up the bill OF fare. The affected
refinement Of the worlds table etiquette is
disdalnfully ignored here Beds in the garnet
are lnproTlSed for the distant visitors a
high board partition is run through the mid
die part, making separate apartments for
male and female s.eepers. The beds are siupIv
straw strewn on the floor, with bundles Of |
straw for pillows and such blankets and |
coverlets as the near friends had provided. |
The addresses upon the occasion are as rrnch |
he eliminating and exciting climaxes Of the
meeting as any oratorical effort before a /
yreat political convention -6erks Comfy |
Cor. Philadelphia Times.